Sealing strip for panel members



May 2, 1950 ca. B. HAAS SEALING STRIP FOR PANEL MEMBERS Filed July 31, 1947 Zhwentar Patented May 2, 1950 smmo s'ralr ron PANEL MEMBERS Glenn B. Hus, Oak Harbor, Ohio, minor to Window Products, Inc., Oak Harbor, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application July 31, 1941, Serial No. 108,041

Claims. (01. 2H6.

This invention relates to devices for sealing window panes into window frames or the like.

One object of this invention is to provide a sealing strip for sealing window panes into window irames or apertures either in stationary structures or in vehicles for land, water or air travel, wherein the window pane is quickly and easily inserted and sealed without the need ior special tools or flrtures. Another object is to provide a flexible sealing strip of resilient material for window panes which has a toggle action so that when the displaceable portion oi the strip is pushed over a certain point, it snaps into place and is held firmly in position by the resilience oi the strip material.

Another object is to provide a flexible sealing strip oi resilient material, as set forth in the preceg objects, wherein the securing of the displaceable portion of the strip is assisted by the provision oi mutually engageable serrations on the movable and hired portions respectively of the strip.

Another object is to provide a flexible sealing strip oi resilient material, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the strip also has provision ior receiving the edge of an aperture in a structural member, such as a window opening in a sheetmetal plate.

Another object is to provide a flexible sealing strip of resilient material, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the movable and fixed portions of the strip may be easily separated to permit removal of the window pane or other panel which is held by the strip.

Another object is to provide a sealing strip for panels generally, in addition to window panes, wherein the panel is removably mounted between the flared and separable portions of the strip, the device being adapted to hold opaque panels, as well as translucent or transparent ones, such opaque panels, for example, being employed to close access openings in various machines or structures.

In the drawings:

Figure l is airont elevation of a structure employing the sealing strip of the present invention ior removably securing a panel in a structural on s;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the sealing strip shown in Figure l, with the movable portion thereof displaced into a position ready to receive a panel, such as a window pane;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section through the sealing strip shown in Figures 1 and 2, with II the parts in the position of Figure 2, showing the first stage in the insertion of a panel;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the parts in the second stage oi securing a panel; and s Figure 5 is a view taken along the line 8-4 in Figure 1 and similar to Figures 3 and 4, but showing the panel completely secured in position by the sealing strip.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows a structure It, such as the wall of a vehicle or building, or a bulkhead in a vessel, in which. a panel H, such as a window pane, is secured by means of a sealing strip l2, according to the present invention. The panel I I may be opaque, such as would be used in removably closing and sealing an access opening, or it may be a transparent or translucent window. The structure Ill is shown as formed of sheet material, such as sheet metal, with an aperture i3 therein which is to be closed by the panel I I.

The sealing strip ii of the present invention is preferably made or rubber, synthetic rubber or other suitable elastic deiorinable material, and consists of an elongated member which is of approximately oval cross-section in its closed position (Figure 5). The sealing strip l2 may be endless if desired, or it may be cut to suitable lengths and squeezed into position. Where this is done, it is preferable to cut the strip slightly longer than the perimeter of the opening it into which it is to be fitted, so that the strip it, when squeezed into position, will be slightly in a state of compression. This arrangement enhances the sealing qualities of the strip and insures the exertion of a firm grip on the panel ll so that the latter is permanently held in a snug manner.

The sealing strip I! along its outer periphery is provided with a recess ll, such as a groove, for receiving the edge portion of the structure l0 adiacent the opening it (Figure 3). In the open position of the strip (Figure 2), the recess II is wider at the bottom than it is at the top or entrance, so that it possesses a roughly triangula cross-section, bounded by the outer lip portions II and I8 and the bottom wall I! of the recess l4. Thus, the lip portions I5 and it, when forced apart from the position of Figure 2 to that of Figure 3 to receive the structure Ill, exert a resilient, yet ilrm, grip upon the structure i ll.

Along its inner edge, the sealing strip i2 is provided with a fixed lip l8 and a movable lip it. These are separated in their open positions (Fig ures land 3) by a recess or channel 20 having side walls II and 22 and a bottom wall 23. The

side wall 2| forms the inner wall of the lip l8 and directly engages the panel Ii in the closed position 01' the strip (Figure 6). The walls 22 and 23, however, are provided with interengaging serrations or ribs 24 and 2! respectively which interlock with one another in the closed position of the strip (Figure 5). The walls 22 and 23 meet at a line of Junction 28, but remain slightly spaced apart from one another in the closed position of the strip, so as to provide an elongated chamber or passageway 21a extending around the sealing strip II.

The movabl lip I3 is joined to the remainder oi the sealing strip II, by a neck portion 21 lying adjacent the Junction 28 and of narrower width than the adjacent portions of the strip. The movable lip I8 is provided with an inner portion 28 and an outer portion 29 having a longitudinal rabbet therein with side walls 30 and 3|. The side walls 30 and II are preferably arranged at acute angles to one another in the open position so that they spring resiliently into a position at right angles to one another when the panel I l is inserted, as shown in Figure 5. In this way a firm yet resilient grip is exerted upon the panel side and edge walls 33, 34 and 35 respectively. The outer edge of the inner lip 28 is rounded, as at 36, to enter a correspondingly rounded recess 31 forming the Junction between the walls 2! and 23 of the sealing strip l2. This provides a further interlocking action between the movable and fixed lips l9 and 18 respectively (Figure 5).

In the operation of the invention, the sealing strip i2 is first inserted in the opening H! by pushing it downward upon the edge of the structure In so that this edge enters the recess or groove l4 and comes to a halt against the bottom wall i1 thereof (Figure 3). If the sealing strip I3 is not endless, as is usually the case, the strip i2 is preferably cut to a slightly greater length than the perimeter of the opening l5, so that its opposite ends are squeezed into position against on another, placing the strip l2 in a condition of compression. The strip now occupies the position shown in Figure 3, ready for the insertion of the panel i I, such as a window pane, and the movable lip i9 is in its open position shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The edge 35 of the panel II is now pushed downward against the inner lip 28 (Figure 3), swinging both the inner and outer lips 28 and 29 of the movable lip I9 toward the fixed lip i8 around the neck portion 21 as a pivot (Figure 4) As this motion is continued, the upper edge of the panel ll pushes in a similar manner laterally against the adjacent portion of the movable inner lip 28, swinging that portion likewise inward, and the same effect occurs on the vertical portions oi. the sealing strip l2 (Figure 1).

As the movable lip l8 swings past a position intermediate that shown in Figures 3 and 4, a toggle-like action occurs, as if the movable lip is were swinging over dead center. The result is that the movable lip i9, while at first resisting the inward swinging motion, subsequently snaps toward the fixed lip i8 when this dead center position is passed (Figure 4). As the panel ll continues to be pushed into position, the rounded edge 36 snaps into the rounded groove 31 and, at the same time, the interengaging ridges 24 and 25 interlock (Figure 5), causing the fixed and movable portions i8 and is of the sealing strip i2 to be held firmly together. The wall 2! of the fixed lip 18 is urged into a position at right angles to the wall I! and the latter is, in turn, urged 4 into a position at right angles to the wall ll during this sequence of operation. The resilience of the material in the neck portion 21' also assists in holding the movable and fixed lips II and I. in engagement with one another.

To remove the panel II from the sealing strip i2, the reverse procedure is followed to that described above. A screw driver or other similar tool is inserted in the space between the wall ll of the movable lip is and the side walls 34 of the panel I I and pulledoutward, causing the movable lip is to be swung outward from the position of Figure 5 through that of Figure 4 to that of Figure 3. At the same time, the rounded edge I! snaps out of the rounded groove 31 (Figure 4) and the ribs or serrations 24 and 2B disengage. As the movable lip i9 moves outward away from the fixed lip I8, it passes over the dead center position previously mentioned, and moves into the open position shown in Figure 3. The panel ll may then be completely removed and a new panel inserted.

What I claim is:

1. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and alon another edge a pair 0! spaced, longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having a longitudinal rabbet therein with relatively angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip into a closed position against the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed said rabbet walls in the closed position of said lips cooperating with said exposed channel wall to define a longitudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel.

2. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having alon one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced, longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having a longitudinal rabbet therein with relatively angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip into a closed position against the bottom wall oi said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed, said rabbet walls in the closed position of said lips cooperating with said exposed channel wall to define a longitudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel, one of said lips having a locking projection thereon within said channel and the other lip having a locking depression therein within said channel engageable with said projection.

3. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced, longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having a longitudinal rabbet therein with relatively angled walls said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip into a closed position against the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed, said rabbet walls in the closed position of said lips cooperating with said exposed channel wall to define a longitudinal'cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel, one of said lips having serraasoasaa tions thereon and one wall of said channel having serrations interengaging with said lip serratlons.

i. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced, longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having a longitudinal rabbet therein with relatively angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip into a closed position against the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed, said rabbet Walls in the closed position of said lips cooperating with said exposed channel wall to define a longitudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel, one of said lips having a locking projection thereon within said channel and the other lip having a, locking depression therein engageable with said projection, one of said lips having serrations thereon and one wall of said channel having serrations interengaging with said lip serrations.

5. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced. longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having thereon a pair of ridges with a rabbet therebetween having relatively-angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip with one of said ridges engageable with the bot tom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed, the walls of said lip rabbet cooperating with said exposed wall of said channel in the swung position of said lips to define a longitudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel.

6. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip or elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced, longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having thereon a pair of ridges with a rabbet therebetween having relatively angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip with one of said ridges engageable with the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed, the walls of said lip rabbet being oooperable with said exposed wall 01 said channel in the swung position of said lips to provide a panel-edge-receiving recess.

'7. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair 01 spaced, longitudinaily-extending lips with a channel there-w between, one of said lips having thereon a pair of ridges with a rabbet therebetween having relatively angled walls. said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip with one of .said ridges engageable with the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed, the walls of said lip rabbet cooperating with said exposed wall of said channel in the swung position or said lips to deilne a longitudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel, one of said lips having a locking projection thereon within said channel and the other lip having a. locking depression therein within said channel engageable with said projection.

8. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced, longitudinaliy-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having thereon a pair of ridges with a rabbet therebetween having relatively angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip with one of said ridges engageable with the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed, the walls of said lip rabbet cooperating with said exposed wall of said channel in the swung position of said lips to define a 1ongltudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel, one of said lips having serrations thereon and one wall of said channel having serrations interengaging with said lip serrations.

9. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material having along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced, longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having thereon a pair oi ridges with a rabbet therebetween having relatively angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip with one of said ridges engageable with the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall of said channel exposed. the walls of said lip rabbet cooperating with said exposed wall of said channel in the swung position of said lips to define a longitudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel, one of said lips having a locking projection thereon within said channel and the other lip having a locking depression therein within said channel engageable with said projection, one of said lips having serrations thereon and one wall of said channel having serrations interengaging with said lip serrations.

10. A mounting and sealing strip for securing panels in structure openings comprising an elongated strip of elastic, deformable material luving along one edge a structure-edge-receiving recess and along another edge a pair of spaced. longitudinally-extending lips with a channel therebetween, one of said lips having thereon a pair of ridges with a rabbet therebetween having relatively angled walls, said rabbeted lip being swingable into said channel toward the other lip with one of said ridges engageable with the bottom wall of said channel and leaving one wall oi said channel exposed, the walls of said lip rabbet cooperating with said exposed wall 'oi said channel in the swung position of said lips to define a longitudinal cavity configured to receive an edge portion of a panel, the walls of said lip rabbet being arranged at an acute angle to one another.

GLENN B. HAAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,288,329 Smith June 30, 1942 

